Carbon-lehigh I-u Budget For Operations Raised 5.7%

Carbon-Lehigh Intermediate Unit directors have approved a $754,370 operational budget for 1986-87 that calls for an average increase of 4.9 percent for member districts.

The budget is up 5.71 percent over the current year's. Dr. Jerry B. Stout, I-U executive director, said there are no major additions or cuts in the spending plan, which "just keeps up with inflation."

Cleared last week by the Superintendents Advisory Council, the budget now goes to the 14 member districts for a vote. A majority of the districts (based on a weighted vote) must then approve it in January or February, and it must go to the Pennsylvania Department of Education by May 1.

While the operational budget is small in relation to the total I-U expenditures of about $8 million - there are nearly 40 budgets, Stout said - this is the only one on which member districts vote.

Dennis Rose, I-U business manager, said there are no surprises in the budget. While the general administration budget shows a 7 percent increase to $268,494, he noted as an example, the increase is in salaries and fringe benefits.

Rose said another section of the budget, the Instruction and Curriculum Development Services proposal of $156,650, shows a decrease from $20,200 to $12,000 for equipment - computer equipment purchased last year - but professional-education services is up $8,600 to $50,000 for in-service for teachers on that equipment.

In other action Monday night, the board denied a grievance filed by the Carbon-Lehigh Education Association asking the board to not hire long-time substitutes and regular part-time workers unless under CLEA contract.

Stout said the board denied the grievance because the involved parties do not belong to the bargaining unit. He said there was a Pennsylvania Labor Relations Boardhearing Nov. 15 on the matter, "and we've not heard the results yet."

In other matters, the board:

- Authorized advertising for bids to lease up to a maximum of six vehicles to transport exceptional children for the 1986-87 school year, since the state no longer provides funds to purchase vehicles. Stout said many avenues will be explored, including contracted services and local districts buying buses and leasing them to the I-U, before a decision is made.

- Amended the special education curriculum to meet Chapter 5 planned course requirements. Stout said there are no major changes; this is a routine updating of curriculum.

- Approved an application to the Department of Health and Human Services for a $108,000 grant to improve services to socially and emotionally handicapped students. This would allow for a counseling services program for emotionally disturbed students, previously funded by Mental Health-Mental Retardation, to be continued.

- Recommended that the board membership be kept at 14 members, one for each district, but that the I-U not hold a convention and that members be elected by mail ballot.

Stout said the state Department of Education has set up a task force, having had requests for a return of the Summer School for the Arts, and the board is asking the state to put in the budget at least $5,000 per I-U for the program. "There is a lot of rekindled interest in this," he said. "We had it here for seven years and lost it three or four years ago," he added.